System and method for ordering and manufacturing customized orthodontic appliances and product

ABSTRACT

A prescription management system is used by an orthodontic or dental lab and a plurality of prescribing users who send prescriptions for customized orthodontic or dental appliances to the lab. The prescriptions are stored in a database selectively accessible by the lab and plurality of prescribing users. A digital workspace is provided in the system in which the lab or prescribing users may create designs for the customized appliances. The designs of the appliances are stored in the database. A tracking record of fabrication of the appliances is stored in the database. A plurality of billings are simultaneously generated in response to the submissions and storage of the prescriptions, the designs of the customized appliances and the fabrication of the designed customized appliances.

BACKGROUND Field of the Technology

The invention relates to the field of ordering, manufacturing, billingand documenting the process of customized orthodontic and dentalappliances.

Description of the Prior Art

In the orthodontic laboratory, prescriptions have been traditionallyprovided to the lab with a graphical representation of the design of theappliance used for treatment. A typical paper prescription is filledout, with a hand drawn design and sent to the lab with a dentalimpression or cast for fabrication. Once received, the patientinformation is entered into a database and the case is scheduled for thedesign review. A designer reviews the paper prescription and makes anyneeded modifications for the technicians, who will be making theappliance and for the billing department to bill for the parts andservices rendered in response to the prescription.

Once the appliance has been designed and then fabricated, the billingdepartment makes a copy of the prescription and manually bills out theappliance. Since each appliance is made up of multiple parts with veryspecific designs, the bill is detailed and manually broken down toillustrate the parts of the retainer. The paper prescriptions are thenfiled and stored away for reference.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The illustrated embodiments of the invention include within their scopea method of prescription management for use with an orthodontic ordental lab and a prescribing user. The method includes the steps of:submitting a prescription from the prescribing user for a customizedorthodontic or dental appliance to the orthodontic or dental lab;storing the prescription; designing the customized orthodontic or dentalappliance in response to the prescription; fabricating the designedcustomized orthodontic or dental appliance; and simultaneously creatinga billing in response to submitting the prescription, storing theprescription, designing the customized orthodontic or dental applianceand fabricating the designed customized orthodontic or dental appliance.

As will become apparent in the detailed description below the method iscollectively performed by the labs and the prescribing users.

The method further includes the steps of simultaneously creating adigital tracking record in response to submitting the prescription,storing the prescription, designing the customized orthodontic or dentalappliance and fabricating the designed customized orthodontic or dentalappliance.

The method further includes the step of simultaneously creating adocumentary record in response to submitting the prescription, storingthe prescription, designing the customized orthodontic or dentalappliance and fabricating the designed customized orthodontic or dentalappliance.

The method further includes the step of selectively reviewing the storedprescription corresponding to prescribing user.

The step of fabricating the designed customized orthodontic or dentalappliance includes the step of including selected parts from a listingof a plurality of categories of parts for inclusion and placement in thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliance, while simultaneouslytracking and recording the inclusion of the selected parts to create thebilling therefor in response to the submitted prescription.

The step of designing the customized orthodontic or dental appliance inresponse to the prescription includes the steps of creating a templateof the customized orthodontic or dental appliance, and storing thetemplate for later access for modification of the customized orthodonticor dental appliance.

The step of submitting a prescription from the prescribing user for acustomized orthodontic or dental appliance to the orthodontic or dentallab includes the step of submitting a prescription from a plurality ofprescribing users for a corresponding plurality of customizedorthodontic or dental appliances to a plurality of correspondingorthodontic or dental labs, where storing the prescription includes thestep of storing a corresponding plurality of subscriptions, wheredesigning the customized orthodontic or dental appliance in response tothe prescription includes the step of designing a correspondingplurality of customized orthodontic or dental appliances in response tothe corresponding prescriptions, where fabricating the designedcustomized orthodontic or dental appliance includes the step offabricating a corresponding plurality of designed customized orthodonticor dental appliances, and where simultaneously creating a billing inresponse to submitting the prescription, storing the prescription,designing the customized orthodontic or dental appliance and fabricatingthe designed customized orthodontic or dental appliance includes thestep of creating a corresponding plurality of billings in response tosubmitting the prescriptions, storing the prescriptions, designing thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliances and fabricating the designedcustomized orthodontic or dental appliances.

The illustrated embodiment can also be characterized as a method ofproviding a prescription management system for use with a plurality oforthodontic or dental labs and a plurality of prescribing users. Theembodiment includes the steps of receiving a plurality of prescriptionsfrom the plurality of prescribing users for customized orthodontic ordental appliances to be provided to the prescribing users by theplurality of orthodontic or dental labs, storing the prescriptions in adatabase selectively accessible by the plurality of orthodontic ordental labs and plurality of prescribing users, providing a digitalworkspace in which each of the plurality of orthodontic or dental labsor prescribing users may create a plurality of corresponding designs ofthe customized orthodontic or dental appliances in response to thecorresponding prescriptions, storing the plurality of correspondingdesigns of the customized orthodontic or dental appliances in thedatabase selectively accessible by the plurality of orthodontic ordental labs and plurality of prescribing users, tracking and storing arecord of fabrication of the plurality of customized orthodontic ordental appliances by the plurality of corresponding orthodontic ordental labs in the database selectively accessible by the plurality oforthodontic or dental labs and plurality of prescribing users, andsimultaneously creating a plurality of corresponding billings inresponse to the plurality of submissions and storage of the plurality ofcorresponding prescriptions, the plurality of designs of the customizedorthodontic or dental appliances and the fabrication of the plurality ofdesigned customized orthodontic or dental appliances.

The method further includes the step of communicating the prescriptionmanagement system to a cloud storage system. The steps of storing theprescriptions in a database, storing the plurality of correspondingdesigns of the customized orthodontic or dental appliances in thedatabase, and tracking and storing a record of fabrication of theplurality of customized orthodontic or dental appliances by theplurality of corresponding orthodontic or dental labs in the databaseincludes the steps of storing the prescriptions in a database in thecloud storage system, storing the plurality of corresponding designs ofthe customized orthodontic or dental appliances in the database in thecloud storage system, and tracking and storing a record of fabricationof the plurality of customized orthodontic or dental appliances by theplurality of corresponding orthodontic or dental labs in the database inthe cloud storage system.

The step of tracking and storing a record of fabrication of theplurality of customized orthodontic or dental appliances includes thestep of including tracking and storing of selected parts from a listingof a plurality of categories of parts for inclusion and placement in thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliance, while simultaneouslytracking and recording the inclusion of the selected parts to create thebilling therefor in response to the submitted prescription.

The step of providing a digital workspace for designing the customizedorthodontic or dental appliance in response to the prescription includesthe step of providing the digital workspace to create a template of thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliance, and storing the template forlater access for modification of the customized orthodontic or dentalappliance.

The illustrated embodiments also include within their scope a method ofproviding a prescription management system for use with an orthodonticor dental lab and a plurality of prescribing users. The method includesthe steps of receiving a plurality of prescriptions from the pluralityof prescribing users for customized orthodontic or dental appliances tobe provided to the prescribing users by the orthodontic or dental lab,storing the prescriptions in a database selectively accessible by theorthodontic or dental lab and plurality of prescribing users, providinga digital workspace in which the orthodontic or dental lab orprescribing users may create a plurality of corresponding designs of thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliances in response to thecorresponding prescriptions, storing the plurality of correspondingdesigns of the customized orthodontic or dental appliances in thedatabase selectively accessible by the orthodontic or dental lab andplurality of prescribing users, tracking and storing a record offabrication of the plurality of customized orthodontic or dentalappliances by the orthodontic or dental lab in the database selectivelyaccessible by the orthodontic or dental lab and plurality of prescribingusers, and simultaneously creating a plurality of corresponding billingsin response to the plurality of submissions and storage of the pluralityof corresponding prescriptions, the plurality of designs of thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliances and the fabrication of theplurality of designed customized orthodontic or dental appliances.

The illustrated embodiment include a prescription management system foruse with an orthodontic or dental lab and a plurality of prescribingusers. The system includes means for receiving a plurality ofprescriptions from the plurality of prescribing users for customizedorthodontic or dental appliances to be provided to the prescribing usersby the orthodontic or dental lab, means for storing the prescriptions ina database selectively accessible by the orthodontic or dental lab andplurality of prescribing users, means for providing a digital workspacein which the orthodontic or dental lab or prescribing users may create aplurality of corresponding designs of the customized orthodontic ordental appliances in response to the corresponding prescriptions, meansfor storing the plurality of corresponding designs of the customizedorthodontic or dental appliances in the database selectively accessibleby the orthodontic or dental lab and plurality of prescribing users,means for tracking and storing a record of fabrication of the pluralityof customized orthodontic or dental appliances by the orthodontic ordental lab in the database selectively accessible by the orthodontic ordental lab and plurality of prescribing users, and means forsimultaneously creating a plurality of corresponding billings inresponse to the plurality of submissions and storage of the plurality ofcorresponding prescriptions, the plurality of designs of the customizedorthodontic or dental appliances and the fabrication of the plurality ofdesigned customized orthodontic or dental appliances.

The various means disclosed include a network of computers controlled bya computer server communicated through the internet with computersystems in the plurality of orthodontic or dental labs and the pluralityof prescribing users. The computer server and networked computers arecontrolled by software instructions stored on a tangible memory medium,which control the circuity, memories and displays of the server andcomputer systems, which are organized by the software as modules withinput/output screens for performing the defining functions of the means.The intercommunication of the server with the plurality computersystems, including cloud storage, is well established in conventionalinternet communication protocols and computer architectures.

The prescription management system further includes means forcommunicating the prescription management system to a cloud storagesystem, and where the means for storing the prescriptions in a database,the means for storing the plurality of corresponding designs of thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliances in the database, and themeans for tracking and storing a record of fabrication of the pluralityof customized orthodontic or dental appliances by the orthodontic ordental lab in the database comprises means for storing the prescriptionsin a database in the cloud storage system, means for storing theplurality of corresponding designs of the customized orthodontic ordental appliances in the database in the cloud storage system, and meansfor tracking and storing a record of fabrication of the plurality ofcustomized orthodontic or dental appliances by the orthodontic or dentallab in the database in the cloud storage system.

The means for tracking and storing a record of fabrication of theplurality of customized orthodontic or dental appliances includes meansfor including tracking and storing of selected parts from a listing of aplurality of categories of parts for inclusion and placement in thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliance, while simultaneouslytracking and recording the inclusion of the selected parts to create thebilling therefor in response to the submitted prescription.

The means for providing a digital workspace for designing the customizedorthodontic or dental appliance in response to the prescription includesmeans for providing the digital workspace to create a template of thecustomized orthodontic or dental appliance, and means for storing thetemplate for later access for modification of the customized orthodonticor dental appliance.

Another embodiment includes a method for controlling a design in acomputer for an assembly of orthodontic parts in an orthodonticappliance. The method includes the steps of defining a rule of movementand behavior which is permitted for each one of a plurality oforthodontic parts with respect to at least one tooth or other one of theplurality of orthodontic parts; and moving, placing, orienting orremoving the orthodontic parts in a graphic image of the design incompliance with the rule defined for the orthodontic parts during theassembly of orthodontic parts into the orthodontic appliance.

The method further includes converting the design as assembled intocomputer assisted manufacturing instructions to assembly the orthodonticappliance from the plurality of orthodontic parts.

The stepf defining a rule of movement and behavior which is permittedfor each one of a plurality of orthodontic parts with respect to atleast one tooth or other one of the plurality of orthodontic partsincludes the steps of defining at least one anchor for each part and aplurality of magnet points at which the at least one anchor may bepositioned, defining whether or not the at least one anchor can beremoved from the design, defining whether the at least one anchor is oneof two anchor buddies or an anchor pair with coupled movement withanother anchor, or defining an orientation of each part.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake ofgrammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expresslyunderstood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by theconstruction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accordedthe full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition providedby the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in thecase where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are tobe accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosurecan be better visualized by turning now to the following drawingswherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a-1d are depictions of the graphic portion of a prescription foran orthodontic appliance. FIGS. 1a and 1b hand sketches created by anorthodontist for an upper and lower retainer respectively and FIGS. 1cand 1d are the corresponding customized designs created by the designerin the lab in response to the orthodontist's hand sketched prescription.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the PracticeDashboard of the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the ManagePatients module of the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the PrescriptionWorkspace of the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the Parts Libraryof the illustrated embodiment, illustrating in this example the pulldown listing of the Clasping part.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of a prescription fora specific patient as used in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the action tabsprovided below the canvas as used in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the Resets actiontabs provided below the canvas as used in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the Templatesaction tabs provided below the canvas as used in the illustratedembodiment.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the ClearLignaction tabs provided below the canvas as used in the illustratedembodiment.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the Uploadsaction tabs provided below the canvas as used in the illustratedembodiment.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the ConfirmationScreen as used in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the PrescriptionCheck-In as used in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the PrescriptionCompletion Log as used in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of the ConfirmationScreen as used in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an illustrative example of a screen shot of theadministrative screen relating to the Manage Parts module as used in theillustrated embodiment.

FIGS. 17a and 17b illustrate the magnet points at which anchors may beplaced relative to the upper and lower teeth.

FIG. 18 is a diagram that depicts a design for an orthodontic appliancefor an upper set of teeth.

FIG. 19 is the diagram of FIG. 18 wherein the design has been modifiedusing the domain specific language (DSL) of the illustrated embodiments.

FIGS. 20a and 20b are diagrams showing the modification of anotherdesign using the domain specific language (DSL) of the illustratedembodiments.

FIGS. 21a and 21b are diagrams showing the modification of yet anotherdesign using the domain specific language (DSL) of the illustratedembodiments.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the transformation of a part between twodifferent orientations of a design using the domain specific language(DSL) of the illustrated embodiments.

The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of theembodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that theembodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustratedembodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The illustrated system and method, offered under the commercial name,Easyprescription™, is a web based application that is designed to createand manage orthodontic laboratory prescriptions within a dental clinicas well as the lab. The system coordinates and facilitates processing oforthodontic prescriptions and their fulfillment between a multiplicityof dental offices or clinics and a multiplicity of orthodontic or dentallabs. In one sense, it is a digital delivery method for orthodontists toprescribe and manage their prescriptions and send them directly to thelaboratory, but also a laboratory management system for the lab'sprocessing and business transactions.

The illustrated system and method can be understood by turning to theprescription as depicted in FIGS. 1a-1d . FIGS. 1a and 1b hand sketchescreated by an orthodontist for an upper and lower retainer respectivelyand FIGS. 1c and 1d are the corresponding customized designs created bythe doctor on a computer or by a designer in the lab in response to theorthodontist's hand sketched prescription. The prescription can becreated in two areas of the system, either directly from a doctor'sdigital or computer account or manually entered by the lab, if a paperprescription is received. A doctor or his or her staff member, includedamong the users of the system and method, navigates to a web portalestablished by the lab via an internet browser and logs into theappropriate account.

The user is presented with the Practice Dashboard 10 for their accountas shown in FIG. 2 which outlines what cases are saved, waiting to besubmitted to the lab, and those that have already been submitted to thelaboratory. Note that the tabs 12, 14 and 16 at the top allow the userto navigate to a patients manager, a template manager, and aprescription manager module respectively.

In order to enter a prescription for a patient, the user first needs toclick the patient tab 12 and create a patient profile. Once a patient'sprofile is created, the user can upload any files associated with thepatient or can create a prescription. A prescription can be created froman existing patient's profile. As depicted in FIG. 3 showing the displayof the Manage Patients screen 18, the patient profiles includes all theinformation, from all the patient's prescription to any uploaded filesthat have been associated in any of the patient's prescriptions. Theuser may wish to create a prescription by clicking on button 20 and thusbe taken to the prescription workspace 22 depicted in FIG. 4.

The prescription workspace 22 is the area for any user doing anydesigning or modification to a prescription. The user interface is veryvisual and interactive to draw the user into the app. There is theprescription ID 24 which is unique to the prescription and the patient'sname 26. On the left edge of the workspace screen is the parts library28. The user opens the drop down parts listings 30 as illustrated forclasping in FIG. 5 and has the ability to click and drag all the partsof the dental appliance needed to create a complete appliance onto thecanvas 32 to the right. Every part is categorized based on the partscategory and can be edited from the administrative section which the labcontrols. The canvas 32 is the portion of the display where the partsare graphically shown as they populate the design. In the illustrationof FIG. 4, a lower retainer is being created in a graphical form,outlining every aspect of design. The user can click and drag any parton the canvas 32 by its blue handle (????) to any area that isanatomically correct. Each part can be customized to only go in certainareas as certain parts would not make sense or appropriate if applied tocertain teeth. To enhance customization, the user can right click on apart that has a red dot which enables or displays an option box 48tailored to that part in those situations as shown in FIG. 6, where thatpart cannot be represented visually or it is not efficient to do so. Theillustrated embodiment of the system disables the browser's right clickoption to accommodate the right click operation of the application.

Below the canvas 32 is a queue 34 of all the selected parts and belowthe queue 34 are more action tabs 36-46 as shown in FIG. 7. Commentsentered through comment tab 36 are date stamped and marked with theuser's name, who is leaving the comment to allow for transparency of whois submitting the comment.

The resets tab 38 is a user interface for clinical movement of teeth.The user may click along what is known as the orthodontic crosshatch 50,which is a scientific numbering outline for the teeth as illustrated inFIG. 8. The display is interactive by allowing clicking on thecrosshatch 50 to identify what tooth needs to be reset.

The study model tab 42 is made up of check boxes and drop downs (notshown) for clinical study model prescribing, since there is not anefficient way to graphically represent clinical study model prescribing.

The template tab 40 is a useful feature on canvas 32 as illustrated byFIG. 9. The doctor can name and create a template in the templatemanager 52 and save the design which appears through the use of thetemplate tab 40 below canvas 32. The user finds the template and theuser's design automatically loads on the canvas 32. This saves fromclicking and dragging all the parts to the canvas 32 which savessignificant time in designing.

The clearlign tab 44 is a clear aligner prescription area 54 depicted inFIG. 10. The illustrated embodiment system provides a result similar tothe Invisalign® approach, where a plurality of clear trays aremanufactured to be applied in a sequence to align the teeth. Thecrosshatch 50 previously mentioned is used below the clear alignerprescription area 54 in the illustrated embodiment as the doctor pickswhich teeth to move. A green dot 56 on the teeth is visually present forthe technician to fabricate the corresponding tray. The doctor picks howmany trays are to be used or allows the lab to make the determination,and the presently illustrated system automatically bills it out properlybased on the input.

The upload tab 46 is shown in FIG. 11. A user can click the “add files”button 58 or can click and drag a file or multiple files directly intothe drop zone 60 and the file uploads into the prescription from digitalthree dimensional model files including thumbnail pictures 62 to helpdiagnose a case. Since everything on the canvas 32 is digital relatingto the parts which are dragged into the canvas 32 from the option boxesavailable, everything has a price attached to it so in essence, thedesigner of a case is also simultaneously billing the case as the stepsof making the design are performed, thereby eliminating the need to havebilling manually performed separately by another worker.

Once the case is finished or the customized appliance is completed, theuser proceeds to checkout, fills out needed information on the next pageabout the case and logistics concerning shipping, and then is taken tothe confirmation page shown in FIG. 12. The doctor prints out theprescription and sends it with the impression or the cast. At thismoment, there is now a digital prescription created and documented. Thisprescription is now in a queue for cases waiting arrival of the modeland impression at the lab.

In another embodiment, the doctor has the ability to create and export aPDF of the prescription for his or her records as shown by activation ofbutton 64 in FIG. 12. With the use of digital scanning, the doctor willupload the digital model, design the appliance, and have the model andthe prescription immediately delivered digitally for fabrication,instead a physically delivering an impression. The case is nowaccessible from the doctor dashboard in the submitted cases queue. Thiscase can always be searched by it's unique ID number 24 or by name 26.

As the case is scanned in at the lab and goes through the process, thedates of interest are populated, such as the estimated ship date, on theprescription. The template manager can be accessed from the template tab40 at the top of the screen as shown in FIG. 16. It leads the user tothe workspace where the doctor can design a template instead and save itfor easy retrieval on the workspace when creating a case. The user canedit and delete existing templates as well.

The prescription tab 66 at the top of the screen in FIG. 16 is a queueof all the prescriptions created by the doctor.

In summary, consider now the work flow as facilitated by the illustratedembodiment. When a user logs into a clerical account through accountstab 68 in FIG. 16 the user is presented with a dashboard which has threequeues: Submitted cases (in transit to the lab), checked in cases, andchecked out cases related to the user. When a prescription comes to thelab, it is either in the digital printed form as described above, or iswritten on a traditional prescription for those not engaging in thecomputerized submission process of the illustrated system, offered underthe commercial name, Easyprescription™. Easyprescription™ is used todigitize all prescriptions so a digital workflow tracking takes place.In the case of a written prescription, the data is manually input thatotherwise would have been inputted by the doctor creating a new idnumber 24 and a digital prescription is input through the prescriptioncheck-in as shown in FIG. 13. Once the case has been logged in by theclerical account and all the information for the lab has been entered,the case is ready for review of the design if sent in by a doctor, ortransferring a design from the paper prescription to the digitalprescription. A user logs into the designing account where the designercan review the designs and redesign a case that came in via a paperprescription on the prescription workspace. Changes are made instantlyand can be seen by any party who has access to the prescription. Thedesigner has the ability to add charges and discounts to anyprescription based on custom orders or a repair that needs a specificamount charged to the case. The designer is now acting as the biller.

Once the design is set, the case travels through the production system.A technician has the ability to log into their technician account wherehe or she can view cases and his or her designs to produce the neededparts via a monitor and a computer. Cases are scanned by the technicianas well into their account for two reasons: 1. To physically track thecase throughout the process (where is the case in the lab); and 2. Toenable the system to keep track of the production of the employee whichcan be monitored and used for production metrics via the reporting areain the administrative account.

Once the case is completed it is ready to be check-out as depicted inFIG. 14. The clerical account bar codes the case and checks the caseout. That puts the case in a QuickBooks® or accounting queue indicatingthat it is ready to be exported. The clerical user has the ability tohover the mouse cursor over a case and see the breakdown of the pricingstructure in a drop down display as shown in FIG. 15. When all the caseshave been scanned and checked out, they will reside in the QuickBooks®queue. The data here can be used to estimate the amount of sales goingout as well as provide an organized shipping report. Once the clericaluser clicks the “generate file” button, a .csv file is stored withintheir account which can be downloaded and imported into QuickBooks® viabridge software or directly into QuickBooks®.

The administrative account controls the system and allows the user tomake changes to vital portions of Easyprescription™. The user can editand delete prescriptions as well as patient profiles and run reports ondepartments and technicians. The user is presented with the samedashboard to see the in-coming cases, the submitted cases, as well asthe checked-out cases. The user has the ability to create, edit, anddelete all the user accounts within the system. The user has fullcontrol over the parts within the system, e.g. the user can change theprice as well as how the parts present themselves in the parts libraryfor those working within the workspace through the use of the ManageParts module 70 as shown in FIG. 16. The user can globally change pricesthroughout the system and has access to all the prescriptions as well asthe patient profiles for any doctor within the system.

The system manufactures dental products or fills orthodonticprescriptions for orthodontic appliances from several hundred parts.Each part has complex movements and several images associated with it.The system uses a native computer language to define each of the partsand their movements. For example, to specify what arches or what teethonto which a part may move, what sub-parts of a part can be removed inany given instance, how one sub-part moves in relation to anothersub-part of the same part, whether a part flips, as with springs, orwhat options are available to a part comprises a noninclusive listing ofsome of what constitutes the definition of a part and its movements. Notonly does the native computer language define the movements, but withits images it creates a graphic representation of each part. With thisnative computer language with its definition of the parts, a verycomprehensive taxonomy of orthodontic parts and appliances has beenassembled. The above software definition of the parts has utility beyondthe illustrated embodiments, especially as orthodontic labs work towardintegrating CAD and CAM into their workflows.

One of the advantageous features of the illustrated embodiment of thesystem is that digital three dimensional model files are viewed usingthe disclosed software system from inside of a browser withoutinstalling any local software. There is no need to download software toview three dimensional models. Whether the image file is from anintra-oral scanner, cone-beam or from a digital study model service froma lab, the illustrated system provides a fast and efficient solution toview the files.

EasyRx utilizes a domain-specific language (DSL) or the native computerlanguage for defining part movements and behaviors. An EasyRx part is arepresentation of an orthodontic appliance that will have differentconfigurations and will be able to be placed in different positions in apatient's mouth. The DSL defines those available configurations andacceptable movements. Only those configurations that have a real-worldapplicability are allowed.

As described above in connection with FIGS. 1a-1d , a part 71 is drawnon a canvas which consists of two arches of teeth, upper and lower. Onthose teeth, we define a set of magnet points 72. These are the placesat which a part 71 can be positioned as shown by the solid dots in FIGS.17a and 17b . Each magnet point 72 has a code that indicates itslocation on the canvas—its x and y location on the screen and itsposition related to the teeth—i.e., whether it is on the upper or lower,lingual, labial, or buccal, and so forth.

In FIG. 18 each circle 74 is called an anchor 76. Anchors 76 sit onmagnet points 72. They are handles that the user can grab to manipulatethe part 71. The part 71 can be a bracket, a wire, a pad, a retainerplate or any other kind of dental or orthodontic component. The userclicks on the circle 74 with the mouse and drags the circle 74 toanother tooth. The user can also right click and is presented with alist of options that are available to modify the part 71. The anchors 76are the handles the user grabs to reconfigure the part 71.

FIG. 19 shows the situation where a part 71 that has been reconfiguredfrom the configuration shown for example in FIG. 18. One sub-component78 in FIG. 18 has been removed, and two others 80 have been moved. Partscan only be reconfigured in very specific ways—e.g., with this part 71the two anchors 76 toward the back of the mouth cannot be removed ormoved. If the user tries to modify them, EasyRx will not allow it. Allof these behaviors are defined in the DSL, and EasyRx uses the DSL toput boundaries on the user's manipulation of the parts.

The configurations of FIGS. 17 and 18 is a very simple scenario. EasyRxallows more complex movements and relationships. For example,relationships between anchors 76 can be established whereby one anchor'smovement will cause another anchor 76 to move in a given way.Furthermore, the drawing on the canvas can change as an anchor 76 movesfrom one magnet point 72 to another. Internal system rules are definedto define realities about the parts themselves and how they are used inorthodontic treatment.

Turn now and consider an overview of the DSL implementation. There aretwo aspects to the EasyRx parts DSL. One allows for the definition ofthe parts and their behaviors, and the other allows for the applicationto draw those parts on the canvas and respond to user commands foralteration of the part configuration.

Consider first the DSL and how it defines behaviors. We provide a set ofrules into EasyRx for each part 71. When these rules are provided,EasyRx recognizes the existence of the part 71, and allows the user tocreate a prescription or rule set with it. The rules define the part'sbehavior, and are specified using the DSL. An example of what the rulefor one part 71 looks like in pseudo-code is set forth below.

behavior: {  anchors: [   0: {    which_teeth: 4-7,    side: UL,   starting_location: 6UL,    color: Green,    which_drawing: 9032,   },  1: {    which_teeth: 4-7,    side: UR,    starting_location: 6UR,   color: Green,    which_drawing: 9032,   },  ], anchor_buddies_allowed_positions: [   {    anchors_buddy: 0 → 1,   rules: {     1: [1], 2: [2, 1], 3: [3, 2], 4: [3], 5: [4]    }   } ],  forced_move: [ ... ],  anchors_pair_across_arch: [ ... ] },options: {  transform: { ... },  transform_1: { ... },  transform_2: {... },  transform_3: { ... },       ...  transform_9: { ... },  color: {... }, }, place: function ( ) { ... }, update: function ( ) { ... }

Note the behavior section, which defines what anchors 76 a part 71 has,what drawings are associated with each anchor 76, how and to where theanchor 76 moves, and how its movements affect other anchors 76.

First we define the set of anchors 76 that comprise the part 71. Eachanchor 76 has a range of magnet points 72 it can sit on or at which itcan be positioned. For example, we might define an anchor 76 that cansit on all the upper arch magnet points 72 on teeth 1-4 (counting fromthe front of the mouth back). We then associate a drawing with thatanchor 76, one for each position that the anchor 76 can sit in. Alongwith the anchor definition, we define the color of the drawingassociated with that anchor 76. Finally, we also define whether theanchor 76 can be removed. This allows subparts of parts 71 to be pulledoff the canvas.

If we need to have one anchor's position influence another anchor'sposition, we define that relationship next by setting up forced moves82, anchor buddies 84 and anchor pairs 86. Each one establishes adifferent relationship between the anchors 76. Forced moves 82 allow anyanchor 76 to be moved to a specific magnet point 72 when the currentanchor 76 is on a specific magnet point 72. Anchor buddies 84 are usedto keep the positions of two anchors 76 within a certain distance ofeach other. Anchor pairs 86 are used to pair two anchors 76 across thearch 88, one on the left side and one of the right side. When the leftside moves to a certain magnet point 72, the right side will be movedwith it.

FIGS. 20a and 20b illustrate an example of a part 71 with anchors 76paired across the arch 88 in an anchor pair 86. Whenever the anchor 76on the left or right is moved, the anchor 76 on the other side is movedwith it as shown by comparison of FIG. 20a to FIG. 20 b.

FIGS. 21a and 21b is an example of anchor buddies 84. Whenever theanchor 76 that controls the tray 90 is moved the wire 92 moves too, andvice versa as can be verified by comparison of FIG. 21a and FIG. 21b ,where one tooth has been removed from tray 90. This is done because thetray 92 contains the wire 92 within it.

The second aspect handles transformations of the part's appearance onthe canvas or its orientation with respect to the teeth or other parts.For example, certain parts flip across the x axis, and those flips aredefined here. In FIG. 22, the part 71 a on the right is the same as theleft part 71 b, but it has been transformed with an optional flip tomake it face the opposite way.

The transformations are defined by specifying to which of the parts'anchors 76 the transform applies and the setting the result of thetransformation, e.g., whether the transform removes the anchor 76,changes the drawing, or something else.

Consider now the DSL movement. The final two lines in the listing ofpsuedocode above, “place” and “update”, control the part's movementswhile the user is interacting with the part 71. The function codes“place” and “update” consume the behavior rules, draw the images on thecanvas, and create the listeners or receiving software modules torespond to user input. Whenever a user moves one of the anchors 76, theupdate function checks the rule set, which we make executable forperformance, and if any changes need to be made, e.g., if an anchor 76was moved and as a result an anchor buddy 84 needs to be moved, theupdate function makes those changes. The update function also preventsthe user from putting an anchor in a place it cannot be placed accordingto the behavior section of the part's definition.

Consider the significance of the DSL. Using this method, we define 355or more different orthodontic parts. As part of that definition we havea catalog of how all those parts behave. We can ask, for example,whether a given part 71 can ever be placed on a certain tooth. Or if weplace the left side of the part 71 on a given tooth, on what teeth it isallowed to be placed across the arch 88 on the right side. Essentially,it is a taxonomy of orthodontic parts with the rules for their behavior.This set of rules has utility beyond EasyRx. It can be used by anysoftware that needs to place orthodontic parts on teeth and needs toknow which teeth can receive which parts. It is not tied to any specificmethod of display.

The illustrated embodiments of the system and method can now beunderstood as an overall prescription management system and methoddesigned to run the logistics of an orthodontic lab while allowingdoctors access to submit, store, and review all their prescriptions. Thesystem allows for flexibility to make customizations based on theparticular lab using the system. Multiple users of the system provideinput through prescription, design and fabrication phases, whichactivities simultaneously creates a digital tracking and document recordof the case and automatic billing. Since this is a web based system,updates can be made on the fly and the labs' data as well as thedoctors' data is stored via the cloud.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theembodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and thatit should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by thefollowing embodiments and its various embodiments.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment hasbeen set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should notbe taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims.For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim areset forth below in a certain combination, it must be expresslyunderstood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer,more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when notinitially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements arecombined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as alsoallowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are notcombined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in othercombinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodimentsis explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.

The words used in this specification to describe the various embodimentsare to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly definedmeanings, but to include by special definition in this specificationstructure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly definedmeanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of thisspecification as including more than one meaning, then its use in aclaim must be understood as being generic to all possible meaningssupported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to include not only thecombination of elements which are literally set forth, but allequivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially thesame function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially thesame result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that anequivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any oneof the elements in the claims below or that a single element may besubstituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements maybe described above as acting in certain combinations and even initiallyclaimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or moreelements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised fromthe combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates theessential idea of the embodiments.

We claim:
 1. A method for controlling a design in a computer for anassembly of orthodontic parts in an orthodontic appliance comprising:defining a rule of movement and behavior which is permitted for each oneof a plurality of orthodontic parts with respect to at least one toothor other one of the plurality of orthodontic parts; and moving, placing,orienting or removing the orthodontic parts in a graphic image of thedesign in compliance with the rule defined for the orthodontic partsduring the assembly of orthodontic parts into the orthodontic appliance.2. The method of claim 1 further comprising converting the design asassembled into computer assisted manufacturing instructions to assemblythe orthodontic appliance from the plurality of orthodontic parts. 3.The method of claim 1 where defining a rule of movement and behaviorwhich is permitted for each one of a plurality of orthodontic parts withrespect to at least one tooth or other one of the plurality oforthodontic parts comprises defining at least one anchor for each partand a plurality of magnet points at which the at least one anchor may bepositioned, defining whether or not the at least one anchor can beremoved from the design, defining whether the at least one anchor is oneof two anchor buddies or an anchor pair with coupled movement withanother anchor, or defining an orientation of each part.